Page 15 of Savage Fate

“Remind me why I shouldn’t kill her, Maverick.”

He jammed his hand through his hair, shaking his head. “Keep your mouth shut, Marissa, unless you really want Tate to rip your throat out. She hasn’t done it, because I asked her not to, but keep insulting her, and I won’t be so nice.”

“Holy shit!”

I groaned as Hawk jogged in our direction. Was everyone just out for a run at six in the morning? His scent lingered in the air, mixed with sweat and a little of Marissa’s fear.

Fane grumbled when Hawk stopped beside him.“Must your ex-boyfriend stay here?”

“He’s not my ex-boyfriend, and you’re the one who invited him.”

“Why is Tate trying to kill your ex-fated, Fane?” Hawk’s brows slammed together. “You didn’t do anything stupid, did you?”

Fane glowered. “I’m not a cheater, dick.”

Hawk noticed Mina, who stood a foot away, and that charming, boyish smile parted his lips. “I’m not a cheater either.” He winked. “I’m Hawk. What’s your name?”

She scoffed and flicked long strands of hair behind her shoulder. “You can’t handle me, raven.”

His brown eyes melted into dark honey. “Give me a chance to prove you wrong, gorgeous.”

“Oh my gods!” Marissa screeched. “You two are flirting while this psycho is contemplating my murder.”

Some of the fury had drained from my body, and I released her neck.“You should thank your lucky stars you’re not mated to her, Maverick.”

Relief pulsated through Fane as he rested his hand on my back.“I do every day, fiera mika.”

Now that I’d released her, Marissa scrambled away, wiping my spit from her skin with a scowl. “I’m telling my father about this.”

“I don’t think he’ll care, Ris.” Mina extended her hand to help her friend up. “In fact, I’m pretty sure he’ll be pissed at you for starting trouble. You’ve been doing it for over a year now. Get your shit together.”

Her bottom lip trembled, and genuine tears filled her eyes as she turned to Fane. “Am I being punished?”

He arched an eyebrow. “Punished for what?”

“For rejecting you.”

She angrily swiped at a few tears that ran down her cheeks. “All of these bad things keep happening to me. Is the universe or the gods angry I rejected my chosen mate?”

Fane released a long, tired sigh, his hand still on my back, absentmindedly caressing my fur. “Bad things keep happening because you’re causing them, Marissa. You tried to kill Tate, and you chose to throw your mate under the bus for it. Your bad luck is a result of your choices. Nothing else.”

Her gaze swiveled from Fane to me, something ominous brewing in its intensity. “I wish you never brought her here.” She stormed past us, leaving behind a trail of fear, regret, and anger.

Hawk bounced on the balls of his feet, his dark blond hair flopping over his forehead. “So, how about that name?”

Mina flipped him off as she walked backward. “Not a chance, bird boy.”

As she jogged to her two-story house with white siding and black shutters, Hawk grinned.

“Challenge accepted.” He spun toward us. “What’s her name?”

Fane stood, rolling his shoulders. “She’ll eat you alive.”

“I’m sure I’ll taste delicious.” He curled his fingers at the demon shifter. “Can I get her name?”

“Mina,” Fane said.

Hawk repeated the name, letting it slowly roll off his tongue. “Hawk and Mina.”

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